Michael Stewart, the organizer of a “black mass,” was arrested at the Kansas Capitol after punching a protester. The incident occurred after Stewart defied a ban on demonstrations inside the building. Prior to the arrest, Stewart had been performing a “black mass” outside the Capitol. The event turned violent when Stewart assaulted a counterprotester, leading to his arrest. Across the street, Catholic leaders led prayers in response to the sacrilegious event.
3 months ago
On March 28, 2025, a "black mass" organized by Michael Stewart of the Satanic Grotto at the Kansas Capitol led to multiple arrests 1 2. Stewart was arrested after punching a protester, Marcus Schroeder, inside the Capitol rotunda 1 3. The incident occurred after Schroeder attempted to take papers from Stewart during a Satanic invocation 1 2. Video footage captured the altercation and Stewart's subsequent detainment by Capitol Police 1 3.
Prior to the incident inside the Capitol, Stewart publicly desecrated what appeared to be a broken celebrant's host on the Capitol steps 2. He denounced Jesus Christ and ground the object under his foot 2. When a protester tried to retrieve the fragments, Stewart allegedly kicked the man before law enforcement intervened 1 2. Two other individuals, Jocelyn Frazee and Sean Anderson, were also arrested for unlawful assembly 2.
Catholic leaders organized a large counter-protest in response to the "black mass" 1 3. Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, led a session of Eucharistic adoration and Mass at Assumption Church, located across the street from the Capitol 1 2 3. Approximately 400 people attended the Mass 1 3. Archbishop Naumann urged the faithful not to respond with anger or violence 1 3.
The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property also organized a large crowd of counter-protesters who gathered on the south side of the Capitol to pray the rosary 1 3. Archbishop Naumann described the "black mass" as hate speech and an attempt to foster confrontation 2. He emphasized the importance of prayer and devotion to God in the face of such events 2.
Governor Laura Kelly had previously banned demonstrations inside the Capitol building 1 3. Stewart publicly announced his intention to defy this order, stating he planned to enter the Capitol and "read prayers" 1 3. Upon entering the Capitol, law enforcement informed Stewart that he was welcome to enter but could not hold a demonstration 1. Stewart has been charged with disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly 2.
Prior to the event, Archbishop Naumann had settled a lawsuit against the Satanic group after they initially claimed to have a consecrated host 1 2 3. Stewart and another member admitted under oath they did not possess a consecrated host 2. It remains unclear whether the host used during the "black mass" was a validly consecrated Eucharist 2.
How does the Church define sacrilege and religious freedom?
Sacrilege, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, consists of "profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical actions, as well as persons, things, or places consecrated to God" . It is considered a grave sin, especially when committed against the Eucharist, where the Body of Christ is truly present . The Baltimore Catechism further clarifies that sacrilege involves the abuse of a sacred person, place, or thing, such as desecrating a church or misusing sacred vessels .
The Catholic Encyclopedia details three types of sacrilege: personal, local, and real . Real sacrilege includes irreverent treatment of sacred things, such as the Eucharist, sacred images, relics, or the perversion of Holy Scripture . The Dicastery for Legislative Texts emphasizes that a grave offense of sacrilege is committed by anyone who takes away or keeps the Sacred Species for a sacrilegious purpose or treats them with contempt .
The Second Vatican Council's Dignitatis Humanae declares that every human person has a right to religious freedom . This freedom means immunity from coercion by individuals, social groups, or any human power, preventing anyone from being forced to act against their beliefs, whether privately or publicly, within due limits . Pope John Paul II stated that religious freedom is understood as the right to live in the truth of one's faith and in conformity with one's transcendent dignity as a person .
Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia stated that governments have a duty to protect the religious freedom of their citizens, guaranteeing every person the opportunity to act according to their conscience, consistent with the common good . Religious freedom includes not only the freedom to worship but also the ability to live according to one’s beliefs and for religions to organize themselves . Pope Benedict XVI described religious freedom as the pinnacle of all other freedoms, a sacred and inalienable right that includes the freedom to choose one's religion and manifest one's beliefs in public without endangering one's life or personal freedom .
The "black mass" and the actions of Michael Stewart can be analyzed in light of the Catholic definition of sacrilege. Stewart's public desecration of what appeared to be a broken host, his denouncement of Jesus Christ, and his grinding the object under his foot constitute a potential act of sacrilege, especially if the host was indeed consecrated . Such actions demonstrate a clear and deliberate contempt for something Catholics hold sacred, aligning with the definition of real sacrilege . The Church considers deliberate irreverence toward the Eucharist as one of the worst forms of sacrilege .
The counter-protests organized by Catholic leaders and the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property, along with Archbishop Naumann's call for prayer and Eucharistic adoration, represent an exercise of religious freedom . These actions demonstrate the right of Catholics to publicly manifest their beliefs and to peacefully assemble in response to actions they consider offensive or sacrilegious . Governor Kelly's ban on demonstrations inside the Capitol and Stewart's subsequent arrest for disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly highlight the limitations on religious expression when it infringes upon public order . The legal context underscores the balance between religious freedom and the need for societal order.
The news article presents a clash between actions perceived as sacrilegious and the exercise of religious freedom. The "black mass" and the alleged desecration of a host, if proven to involve a validly consecrated Eucharist, would constitute sacrilege according to Catholic teachings. The Catholic response, through counter-protests and prayer, exemplifies the exercise of religious freedom, while the legal actions taken against the organizers illustrate the boundaries of religious expression within the context of public order.